in high school who was talking to the dog and was able to express himself. >> yeah, that was tim. he was going to the dogs and said his dad came home every night and said i wish my dad was here to be with the dogs. >> it was remarkable how much the gift of love can help the healing process. how much an, animal was bring healing and joy. >> how generous to try to help. we have been talking about a horrible act to see that the generosity of human kindness was something that was a small and wonderful thing. thank you for watching. anderson cooper starts now. >> erin thank you very much. good evening everyone. we are again live in newtown, connecticut. it has become for all the wrong

reasons main street usa. that may all change. plenty of news on that subject tonight with president obama laying out a plan of action today and the nra planning to speak on that later this week. for now, people living for the moment. for the families living hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second even. they aare tending to the sadly duty they have to bury the dead and to remember and to honor. daniel barden was always smiling and had two front teeth missing. his dad was a musician and he followed his lead by playing the drums. his family described him as a thoughtful boy when he noticeded

kids sitting alone in the lunchroom in school he would join him. in an interview, his dad remembers teaching him to play "jingle bells" on the way to school >> we held hands on the way to the bus. and that was our last morning together. he did get up early that morning and ran down the driveway so he could kiss his brother good-bye in his pajamas. it was 22 degrees. he was exception aexceptional. >> his family says he was a cob stant source of laughter and joy. charlotte bacon was six years old. she had a big personality. she was smart, out going. she loved to talk, she could

carry on long conversations with just about anyone, kids, adults it didn't matter. she never met an, animal she didn't love and talked of becoming a vet since she was two years old. she was gifted and loved going to school to letter. she loved her weekly weekly kar classes. on friday morning she wanted to wear her new pink dress to school, pinpink was her favorit color. >> she loved dresses and she insisted on wearing the dress. my daughter said okay. she had red natural curly hair. my daughter braided it for her and she wore white boots and my daughter said she looked adorable mom. she said i look back and i think of charlotte dressed like that

and she was getting ready to go see jesus in her new dress >> her family writes the family will remember her beautiful smile her energy for life. she has left a place in our hearts that will never be replaced. >> caroline was nicknamed boo due to her resemblance to the character in the movie monsters inc. she was in the first grade and neighbors remember her sitting on the school bus sitting next to a boy for the first time and wanted to make sure that he wasn't scared. for vicky soto teaching was a passion and a life long dream she was 27 years old.

she loved teaching. her mom says vicky loved her students more than life. referring to hthem as her kids. she wanted to be known as a good teacher but as a fun teacher. her students loved her. on friday she died a hear row. she herded her kids into the closet and shielded them from the gunman. >> she talked about them with such fondness and caring and i have no doubt in my mind she did everything she could to protect everyone of them. >> she was passionate about her family and was known as queen victoria as home. her family said she loved the beach and the new york yankees. in her obituary they write she was an amazing daughter, cousin, teacher and friend and we count

be prouder of our hero. her dog roxy waits every day for her to come home from school. >> we will remember them. paul simon performed at her funeral and sang the song reques, "the sound of silence". we wanted to show the pictures of daniel who wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up. people supported us after 9/11 we are here to rueturn the favo. we saw a photograph the class photo of lauren russos first graders who were killed on friday. this was grace mcdonald's class. she and 14 other kids, even as a

little girl she knew she wanted to become a teacher. on friday she was where she wanted to be. filling in for a teacher on maternm maternity leave. >> it says me, since i've been with you. thanks for rubbing off on me. >> 30 and in love. tony and lauren russo. >> do you you remember the moment you realized you were in love with her? >> yes, the first date, i had with her i knew. >> at a wine bar where they shared her first kiss. she called him lovy. and she didn't like to honk her horn at people who cut her off in traffic. >> she liked to send him cards like this one. >> this card made me giggle and

think of you very appropriate just bananas. >> these photographs taken two months before she died. >> this was a first one where i don't have a funny face. >> they celebrated one year of dating in november. >> i'm glad that i had a good relationship for a year instead of a relationship that had fights for years. >> the some month that she became a permanent substitute teacher at sandy hook elementary. >> she would say i'm doing this and that. >> they were planning to see "the hob it" on friday night. but the last text was at 8:58 am. >> it doesn't seem real or permanent. >> do you think you might see her again? >> i'm convinced that i'll see her again.

i have a little squish pillow that she had that smells like her perfumes and stuff. >> and when i wake up i can smell my girlfriend's perfume and it makes me cry. >> the love of her life is how it describes tony. >> i only get one year with her. >> it is kind of bad to say, but i'm jealous of her friends that got more than one year. all i got was one. but it was a really good year. >> you hugged president obama when he was here sunday night. >> yeah, but i want a hug from lauren and i'm not going to get that. >> it is this song they both loved and it will always remind tony of his lauren. ♪ i love the way you say good morning ♪ >> i want the world to know that

she was a great person and touched the lives of everyone she ever met even if you met her once you liked her. she didn't deserve this. no one deserved this. >> so hard to imagine. you said that lauren had given tony some christmas presents. >> yeah, she wrapped them up and i said did you open them? >> he said i can't and i won't. then it is over. you get the sense from him he feels like she is going to come back. they were that connected. >> and she worked multiple jobs. >> he called her busy bee. teacher. worked at a catering company and worked at a starbuck's. i went there and some were wearing buttons that said 12/14/12 heart lauren.

and they had a table for people to write their thoughts to her. i want to tell you toep yo asked us to thank you. we appreciate that he is not talking about the shooter. and she will be buried here. >> 20 minute drive from here in danbury. people have gathered for a tribute there. gary is there. >> reporter: a very emotional evening right now. this is a painful story for all of us all over the world and it is acute here in the state of connecticut. and right now in danbury, a tribute to newtown. to the families and the survivors music and prayer. a short time ago a video tribute to the 20 children who died and it was so hard to watch,

beautiful music playing and beautiful songs playing while hundreds of people here experiencing it. one thing, anderson, i know it is the same with you, we have covered so many tragedies, what is amazing here, we have made so many friends, i'm grateful, but sorry for how we have made these friends. that is what is happening right now. there is no such thing as closure. these families, but the more people stay together, become friendly together, the easier that recovery will be for them. but it is never complete for so many people >> anderson? >> gary, we appreciate that tonight. we have a lot more ahead. >> new polling as well suggesting public opinion

mighting shifting. that is next from newtown. ♪ ♪ questions? anyone have occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating? yeah. one phillips' colon health probiotic cap each day helps defend against these digestive issues with three strains of good bacteria. approved! [ female announcer ] live the regular life. phillips'. military families face, we understand. at usaa, we know military life is different.

we've been there. that's why every bit of financial advice we offer is geared specifically to current and former military members and their families. [ laughs ] dad! dad! [ applause ] ♪ [ male announcer ] life brings obstacles. usaa brings advice. call or visit us online. we're ready to help. why they have a raise your rate cd. tonight our guest, thomas sargent. nobel laureate in economics, and one of the most cited economists in the world. professor sargent, can you tell me what cd rates will be in two years? no. if he can't, no one can. that's why ally has a raise your rate cd. ally bank. your money needs an ally. [ male announcer ] with free package pickup

from the u.s. postal service the holidays are easy. visit usps.com. pay, print, and have it picked up for free before december 20h for delivery in time for the holidays. you can even give us special instructions on where to find it. free package pickup. from the u.s. postal service. because it's nice to have an extra pair of hands around for the holidays.

but they haven't experienced extra strength bayer advanced aspirin. in fact, in a recent survey, 95% of people who tried it agreed that it relieved their headache fast. visit fastreliefchallenge.com today for a special trial offer. prego?! but i've bought ragu for years. [ thinking ] wonder what other questionable choices i've made? i choose date number 2! whooo! [ sigh of relief ] [ male announcer ] choose taste. choose prego. i will use all the powers of this office to help advance efforts aimed at preventing tragedies like this.

we can't prevent them all, but that can't be an excuse not to try >> president obama pledging to propose new legislation by next month. new polling shows 52% now in favor of major gun restrictions. 37% favor major restrictions. 15% want to make all guns illegal. 33% support minor restrictions and 33% want no restrictions at all. which may explain why conser conservative democrats and others are advocate iing army teachers. the nra is expected to make a statement on friday.

joining us again is lillian bittman former chairman of newtown's board of education. appreciate you being with us. we talked about something having to come out of this. for you, that means some sort of regulation. >> i think the country is actually fed up with where we are now. i think majority of the country up to now, like i was three days ago. you know how heavy it hit everybody how shaken up my friends are in other states of this great nation. i'm getting phone calls from all over the world, you know, people cannot believe what is happening here. and people in like, i was in virginia i went to d.c. to see,

our senators on capitol hill. >> you already did that? >> yes, yes i returned this morning. >> do you feel that there is a possibility for change? >> definitely. we met with senior aids to president of the united states. valerie jarr areet and she told this is a personal priority for our president. he is making a personal commitment to advance this cause to make our schools safe to make our public safe, this should not be a partisan issue this should be an issue for the entire nation. we should join the ranks and create policies that are balanced. >> lillian for you, you want to have a civil discussion about this. >> absolutely. all of the funerals and wakes

i've attended they have to have it be changed now. there is a group now that has formed in newtown, my husband and i are apart of called newtown united. i very much tonight would like to ask the nation to join us. we are not, like we said, we are not looking to ban guns, we are looking for a civil discussion on gun control, mental health, school safety and school facilities so that we as a nation can work together to come up with a solution. what andre said is how we feel. all the people around the country, all of my other friends across the country to join us. we have a facebook page they should jump on that and we can

create a critical mass some show washington to work together. >> you were saying today, you have been going to wakes and funerals all day long. >> my husband coined a term which is awful, an assembly line of wakes and funerals. we can't figure out which one to go to we have to divide and conquer. the sandy hook teachers are struggling trying to get to as many as possible. and that is true for many of the parents we are struggling with that. >> you are often waiting two hours to get into pay your respects. two to five hours it is freezing cold and yesterday that is raining. that is a wonderful thing because so many people are coming out to support the families. our town is gridlocked with traffic with people from out of town and with the media.

we have to plan to leave our houses sometimes an hour before you want to be there. we can think of nothing else but funerals and wakes and maybe taking a meal to somebody. >> andre, how is your son doing he was there? >> it is difficult to talk about that. he is a little guy. he keeps a lot within himself. you see science like something wants to come out, but bits and pieces. it is really too early to tell how it has affected him. my older kids 13 and 14-year-olds are profoundly affected. because they understand the death the enormity of the tragedy. those kids, those little kids that they babysat. you know, they are like little

kids, little friends that are not there anymore. >> can change happen? do you you believe that? >> i believe this time it can. based on what i am seeing across the country. i'd like to say to the nation. because i know i said before. let's lead with love. but also a child shall lead them. that is what we have here. we have 20 children that are trying to lead the way. i can't stand that. and all the people at the funerals and wakes that i have been to. their deaths have to have meant something. a little child will lead us. >> we should join as a nation. we should be better than this. >> yes, yes. >> thank you very much. appreciate it. >> a quick reminder to watch peirs morgan tonight. tonight on cnn.

last night the uncle of the 6-year-old boy noah pozner are told us there were scams set up in his name profits off of this tragedy. today we tracked down the source of one of these scams. we'll show you what he found out next. ♪ ♪ bob, these projections... they're... optimistic.

productivity up, costs down, time to market reduced... those are good things. upstairs, they will see fantasy. not fantasy... logistics. ups came in, analyzed our supply chain, inventory systems... ups? ups. not fantasy? who would have thought? i did. we did, bob. we did. got it.

family are trying to capital iz on the tragedy.

cnn's drew griffin looked into an e-mail that was circulating, what did you find? >> reporter: that e-mail we tracked down to a woman in the bronx. also collecting donations for hurricane sandy victims we got a camera and went to the house. at first there was no answer and then a half hour later a surprise when she answered the door. >> oh hi, are you miss alba. you set up donations on behalf of one of the victims on the newtown tragedy. no? >> you have your name and

address on the e-mail. >> she allowed us into record her voice already. she is in a crafting community and makes victorian picture frames. we are giving you this detail so you can decide what kind of e-mail was sent out here. despite evidence to the contrary she said she has nothing to do with it. this has your e-mail on it. this is about noah pozner's funeral. it has your paypal account. >> that is not my paypal account. >> is that your people? >> it says right there.

yeah, that is one of my gmails. but i never set up any funds for anybody. >> you should know that the family tells us they are upset by this. >> but i never did anything to them. >> i never sent this e-mail out. >> i don't have a reason to send any he e-mail out. >> all very fishy anderson. the bottom line we couldn't find out if the woman's claims are true. she claims she did get $300 in donations that she says are true. a clear example of how quickly the e-mails pop up after a tragedy. we did the story after hurricane sandy. some of the websites were set up before the storm hit. if you want to donate do your homework, in this case we have

exposed this, this woman herself admitting it is not a good charitable avenue to donate, so don't. >> this is so sickening so i think it is important to name her. noelle alba? >> that is her name. and she said her enemies are within the crafting community. >> that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. that she has enemies in the crafting community and they have set up a paypal account about hurricane sandy and this beautiful little boy. >> it is very troubling. this e-mail is a hoax. don't do it. but be aware. it is sad to say, there are 20 kids out there. 20 names of kids people will take advantage of this but they

will. >> well, you know, we should get from as many of the families as want the information out, legitimate memorial funds and sites and we will start doing that tomorrow. noah's uncle is with me right now. you have set up a site correct? >> that is correct. they set up the domain name noahpozner.com. we challenged that with go daddy. >> someone after the tragedy bought the domain name? >> we had a lot of friends online and it was caught right away. woe ch we challenged it and we have the website now. i don't know what the person's intensions were. >> so that is now the official website. it is the family's website.

and we bought the other related domain names. i sat there and went through with my wife. >> you know, that is right. instead of doing things with our family, i'm running around trying to protect the family. i mean, i look at my nieces and i think of these scammers and i think they are stealing from them. their survivors of this tragedy. it is in feweriating. so, i am going to do everything i can to protect them and get the word out and today i did contact the fbi as to this ms. alba. they were interested in the information that we provided. >> hopefully they can look into her finances. that should be easy to track down. where can people go to help? >> you know what, we heard

noahpozner.com and noahpozner d noahpozner.org. go to cnn d.com and impactyourworld. there are a lot of things that people can do that don't involve money. you can go to impactyourworld@cnn and we'll keep adding on as we get the information from the families themselves. >> okay. we will try to reach out. if the families are listening please let us know. um, i wish you the best. i'm sorry that you have to deal with this kind of stuff. i hope it helps. we'll continue to stay on it. >> coming up next.

the latest on the investigation including reports on what we know about the investigation. we'll have that just ahead. ♪ ♪ meet the 5-passenger ford c-max hybrid. when you're carrying a lot of weight, c-max has a nice little trait, you see, c-max helps you load your freight, with its foot-activated lift gate. but that's not all you'll see, cause c-max also beats prius v, with better mpg. say hi to the all-new 47 combined mpg c-max hybrid.

you won't just find us online, you'll also find us in person, with dedicated support teams at over 500 branches nationwide. so when you call or visit, you can ask for a name you know. because personal service starts with a real person. [ rodger ] at scottrade, seven dollar trades are just the start. our support teams are nearby, ready to help. it's no wonder so many investors are saying... [ all ] i'm with scottrade.

in the evening when you go home, you talk to your family and collect your thoughts and t try to cry, that is what we do. >> reflecting the enormity of the tragedy. police are trying to figure out what happened here. authorities have not been able to recover clues recovered from the computer.

deborah, one of the questions that is still unanswered is why this person chose this school we are learning now of the connection? >> the connection is that he actually went there. he went to sandy hook elementary school. he was in the first, the third the 4th and the 5th grade. he was six years old when his family moved into this house. we have seen a photo of a t-shirt that the classmates signed his name on the t-shirt and a former classmate said that she used to ride the bus with him to the school. and the school bus today stopped no more than 50 feet from his ho home. but that is the connection. we have confirmed that he in

fact attended numerous grades. so even though officials say he had no recent connection, he had a connection to that school. there were reports that the shooter was home alone in the days leading up to friday. what do you know about that? the mother left the gunman alone in the home for several days prior to the massacre. our colleague has confirmed that the mother traveled to new hampshire left here early tuesday and returned after dark on thursday. the next morning her son entered her room and shot her four times in the head. she was his first victim before he drove off to go to that school. it is unclear whether he was alone for the entire three days or whether somebody was coming

in and checking in on him. friends said she would leave him alone. but if there was a problem she would cancel the plans and stay with him. there was time when he was alone in the home with those firearms anderson. >> deborah. people across the country and around the world are payi ining tribute to the victims. we have more coming up. ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. robitussin®. don't suffer the coughequences™.

gives you 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 50% annual bonus. and everyone...but her likes 50% more cash. but i'm upping my game. do you want a candy cane? yes! do you want the puppy? yes! do you want a tricycle? yes! do you want 50 percent more cash? no! ♪ festive. [ male announcer ] the capital one cash rewards card gives you 1% cash back on every purchase plus a 50% annual bonus on the cash you earn. it's the card for people who like more cash. what's in your wallet?

we will of course be bringing you more moments from here in newtown. but first, eya reminder that is hitting close to home for all of us here at 360. for more than a year now we have been getting regular updates from inside syria from a brave man that told me that since the beginning of his revolution, that he, this 38-year-old man can hear his voice for the first time. we are getting word from his family this week that he has been detained with his brother and are holding them in a location called building 215

used for torture and abuse. you see him standing on the right side of this photo. he is a medical student. they want us to tell this story tonight in the hopes that someone inside syria inside the regime will listen. the family posted a facebook page demanding their release. as i said. zaidoun came on the program more than a dozen times. and he knew he was putting his life at risk. i spoke to him about this and i spoke to him less than two weeks ago about intelligence reports. it was his last interview before the secret police took him away. >> what are you hoping for now?

is there hope? >> well, for me, i mean personally, for the majority of the people nobody has any hope in anything. it will continue because this is happening for sure. i mean we will win in the end and we are sure that the international community will not do anything at home. nobody cares about it. we are not scared of him at least. i'm not scared of the chemical weapon, does it make a difference to die with a bullet of a chemical weapon? which death is more painful? >> did you ever think it would get to this point? how do you get through each day? because as you say, the world has watched his happen. and we watch it happen every

night. >> well, anderson, it is simply stated like this. when the syrian people stop the revolution. justice for all, democracy, we expect we know the regime is brutal. we expected brutality but not this much. is it worth it? yes, thank god. i don't know how we lived with the regime. thank god we have the solution and we are lives our lives are ruined but thank god we have the solution and thank god we will win the battle on our own without anybody's help. enough. even if it takes another 100,000 people. enough. this is not a regime, this is

anything you can, i don't know what you call it. killing. killing killing shelling shelling mortars helicopters rockets, against what? civilians? enough. >> zaidoun thank you very much for talking. >> thank you anderson. >> enough he said. he was fighting with his voice and he was aware of the risk that he took speaking with us every time and we knew the risk of speaking as well. it is understandable for anyone to put themselves in that situation to hide their identity. he felt free because he was speaking out for the first time in his life. he was able to use his name and voice his opinions in a regime that has never allowed that.

we interviewed him over the phone even though he wanted to show his face. he asked us to use his full name. i asked him during her fall interview in november of 2011. >> you are using your fall name and asking us to use your full name and telling us where you are. i know you have been ininterrogated by security forces. in are you willing to speak out and use your full name? >> because it is enough. people are dying because it is enough. after eight months, you still believe a lie. that you kcan control and overcome. you can do one thing now. save, more lives please stop the killing. when i chant, i want freedom. i can hear my he voice for the

first time in my life how can i give up this even if it costs me my life? >> he said he could hear his voice for the first time in his life. imagine that. the man is a hero to me and many of us on this program. our thoughts and prayers or with him and his family. two dae daughters and his wife are in syria right now. there are other important stories that we are following as well. >> three state department officials resigning today. it found failures in management deficiencies. two were found to be responsible for security deficiencies at the consulate. president obama today accused

republicans today. president obama is time magazine's person of the year. education activity was included. and tim cooke apple's new ceo. >> up next children raising their voices. ur lives. one a day men's 50+ is a complete multivitamin designed for men's health concerns as we age. it has 7 antioxidants to support cell health. one a day men's 50+.

♪ [ male announcer ] they are a glowing example of what it means to be the best. and at this special time of year, they shine even brighter. come to the winter event and get the mercedes-benz you've always wished for, now for an exceptional price. [ santa ] ho, ho, ho, ho! [ male announcer ] lease a 2013 glk350 for $399 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer.

all around the world people are supporting the families anyway they can. they have been through a lot but they had room to reach out to

others. >> somebody suggested on our facebook page yesterday that we sing their school song. are you guys okay with that? >> yeah. >> you sure? >> yes. >> anybody not okay with this? no. >> all right cool. ♪ ♪ three cheers for the green and the white ♪ ♪ sandy hook school forever ♪ sandy hook elementary ♪ a very special place to be >> they are going to be performing at president obama's inauguration as well the chorus

of ps 22. >> we want to leave you with sights and sounds of sandy hook with the victims forever in our hearts. >> a tribute to the schools. i have two kindergarteners in school. no words that you can say for it. ♪ ♪ >> the outpowering uring of love community and world has been unbelievable. ♪ >> we need to find some way to come together around all victims of violence. ♪ >> there was a group of students that had traveled from florida